Prison visitor found with drugs, phone in shoes

An Auckland Prison visitor has been arrested after trying to smuggle in drugs and a cellphone in his shoes.

The man was visiting the prison with a woman yesterday when a search revealed the contraband, prison manager Kelly Puohotaua said.

"On the female visitor we found a cellphone, brand new, that she had no idea how to use ," he said.

"The male visitor was picked up by the metal detector on his way to being searched, indicating an object possibly concealed in his shoes.

"Staff began the rub down search and could strongly smell glue. The inner sole and outer heel of each of his shoes had been removed and cannabis and a cellphone packed inside them, before they were glued back together."

The man was detained by staff until police arrived, arresting him and cautioning the woman.

"The police advised us late yesterday that the quantity of cannabis was around 70 grams, more than two ounces," Mr Puohotaua said.

The male visitor faced criminal charges and the prison would also look to ban both visitors from prison property, he said.

Mr Puohotaua said visitors tried every trick in the book to get contraband to prisoners, some even planting drugs inside a baby's nappy.

- NZPA